The founder of H2O International recently posted a letter to the event's website in an attempt to defend his position after heavy criticism of the car show.

Jay Shoup of Berlin addresses what he believes are public misconceptions of the 20-year-old event.

Shoup condemns Ocean City officials, police, misbehaving teenagers, other car shows and the media in his lengthy address.

The founder writes his car show has nothing to do with Ocean City, and it should not be blamed for the actions of a few who also have no connection with H2Oi.

The show most recently took place in Whaleyville before it was canceled last year, and attendees often stay in the nearby resort.

The event name "H2O" references modern-era Volkswagens and Audis that are water-cooled, rather than air-cooled. Shoup canceled the show in 2017, but drivers joined together in an H2Oi Facebook group with more than 35,000 members to organize a weekend in late September.

With the cancellation, Shoup writes that nothing should be labeled as H2Oi that occurred last year, arguing it's a different set of people and event.

A pedestrian in his mid-20s was struck by an Ocean City Police officer at the intersection 56th Street and Coastal Highway late Friday night, officials say. Submitted image by Instagram user Jason Mourning